Christina was really shaken up. Her face was white and she was silent as Leonid bid us goodbye, telling us he would seek refuge at the 1st Nome. She was still silent as I opened the portal while she got dressed. When we got to Brooklyn, she didn't even say hi to our friends on the terrace. I had to explain everything to Carter and the others and they seemed to understand. Xian and Zach looked like they'd held up well but I told them I'd see them tomorrow. It was nighttime, and I needed to take care of Tina before anything else. Anna followed close behind, walking with the same urgency I was. The door to Christina's room was locked and I had to knock on it.
"Go away," she answered in a soft whisper, her voice against the door. I could tell she wanted to be alone, but I needed to know if she was okay.
"Christina it's me," I murmured, "I know you really don't want to talk but please let me in. I brought your tiger."
There was a shuffle behind the door and it cracked open a bit. I pushed it open slightly to find Christina sitting with her back to the end of her bed, her eyes red and puffy. Anna sat by her side but Christina barely even noticed.
"What do you want?" Her voice was barely audible and it sounded close to breaking. I sat in front of her cross legged and I held her hands.
"Christina...are you okay?" I asked, kissing her hands in turn.
"I...I'm not okay..." Her voice broke and she hugged me tight. I buried my face in her hair and stroked her back as Anna rubbed her nose on Tina's cheeks. We held her for a bit but she didn't cry. In fact, when she spoke again, her voice was clear.
She stood up and said, "Follow me." I got up and walked behind her as she stepped into the bathroom and turned on the shower. She closed the door and locked it as I struggled to keep quiet. But she didn't seem to care as she peeled her shirt off in front of me. Christina turned around to look at me as she pulled down her pants and she said, "What, are you gonna shower in your clothes?"
Slowly, I took my clothing off as she took off all her underwear and stepped into the steamy shower. I followed her, then closed the slide door to the shower behind me. My heart was speeding up as she dragged me under the hot shower water and stood right next to me, looking up into my eyes. I put my hands on her waist and kissed her. The familiar feel of her lips on mine was heaven, added to the shower water and her hands, covered in lavender soap, scrubbing my hair clean. I pulled away and poured soap onto my own hands before scrubbing her hair clean as well. I washed Christina's sadness right down the drain and felt her familiar warmth and energy radiate from her tiny frame as we cleaned each other. When we finished, Christina only had to snap her fingers and all the water completely flowed right off of us. She put on PJs and lent me a pair which I put on, along with one of her shirts. Anna joined us as we laid in bed, snuggling each other for warmth. After a little bit, I felt the gentle shake of Christina's body as she let out a little laugh.
"What's so funny?" I asked as I readjusted her so that she was warmer in the curve of my body as we, uh, spooned, I think it's called.
"Me, you, Anna, and Gabriel," She explained, "It's kind of like we've got our own little family."
I grinned into the crook of her neck, "This is our family. All four of us. We might be small and underestimated, but we all love each other."
Christina turned to meet my eyes and she said, "I love you."
I kissed her mouth, "I love you, more."
Early the next morning, I felt the gentle breath and heard the sound of Christina singing right against my ear softly. Her voice sounded like silk, and it flowed gently throughout my entire body, making me open my eyes and smile. She was lying next to me, and I met her happy gaze with a grin as she scooted closer and kissed my nose.
"Good morning, you," I whispered, gently kissing her tummy, and her ear, and her neck, and her hand, and her shoulder, and her lips. Can you tell I was in a good mood?
"Sorry to wake you up so early," Christina sat up and I did too, hugging her from behind, "Anna wanted some milk so I went and poured her a bowl."
Sure enough, Anna was on the ground, lapping milk out of a bowl happily.
"Oh, and you got a missed call from Mia," She added, "I think she wants to talk."
I grabbed the Blackberry off the nightstand and called Mia back with Christina right next to me; the phone on speaker mode.
"Jake! Oh my gods, I'm so glad you're alright," Mia shouted over the phone. Her voice sounded excited; a tone I hadn't heard in a while.
"What's up, Mia?" I asked her, "Did you and Sam do the do-?"
Mia laughed, "No, Jake, this news is even better!"
"What's going on?" Christina said through the phone and I could almost hear what sounded like tears of joy on Mia's end.
"Guys...I'm pregnant with Sam's child," Mia said breathlessly.
